Violence inside the home — beating, abuse, taunts for dowry, complete control over money, or threats to throw a woman out of the house — is not a “private family matter”. Indian law treats it as an offence and gives the woman the right to approach a Magistrate directly for protection. Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA), any woman in Haryana can seek a protection order, the right to stay in her home, monetary relief, custody of her children and compensation — without filing an FIR. The myScheme entry “Protection Against Domestic Violence” is this very law. This guide covers everything — who can complain, the 5 reliefs available, how to reach the Protection Officer, the full list of Sakhi One Stop Centres and Mahila Thanas in Haryana, and how to get free legal aid.
If you are in danger right now, get help first — read the guide later: call 112 (emergency services) or 181 (Women Helpline, 24×7, toll-free) immediately. You can also go to the nearest Mahila Thana, Sakhi One Stop Centre or any police station and ask for help. Asking for help is not your fault — and your identity is kept confidential.
Scheme at a glance
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scheme / law | Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) |
| In force | 26 October 2006, across India including Haryana |
| Type | Central law — this is NOT a cash-benefit scheme; it is a legal right to protection |
| Department | Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India; in Haryana, the Women and Child Development Department |
| Benefit | Protection order, residence order, monetary relief, custody of children, compensation — all in one application |
| Who can apply | Any woman in a domestic relationship (married, or in a relationship in the nature of marriage); the Protection Officer or any other person can also apply on her behalf |
| Where to apply | Judicial Magistrate First Class (Section 12) — directly, or through the Protection Officer |
| Application fee | No fee — the application is free; free legal aid is also available |
| Timeline | First hearing ordinarily within 3 days; disposal targeted within 60 days of the first hearing |
| Last date | No fixed last date — the Act prescribes no limitation period |
| Immediate help | Women Helpline 181; Emergency 112; Sakhi One Stop Centre; Mahila Thana |
| Contact | Women and Child Development Department, Haryana — Bays 15-20, Sector 4, Panchkula — 0172-2560349 |
Need help now? Do this first
If violence is happening right now or your life is in danger, do not wait for the legal process — first move to a safe place and call for help:
| Help | Number / place | When |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) | 112 | Immediate danger — police, ambulance, fire — one number |
| Women Helpline, Haryana | 181 (24×7, toll-free); landline 0172-2587658 | Any time — complaint, advice, access to a One Stop Centre |
| Police | 100 | When immediate police help is needed |
| Mahila Thana (Women Police Station) | Your district’s Mahila Thana (full list below) | To file a complaint or an FIR |
| Sakhi One Stop Centre | One in every district (full list below) | Police, medical, legal help, temporary shelter — all under one roof |
| National Commission for Women helpline | 7827 170 170 (24×7) | To complain at the national level |
| Child Helpline | 1098 | If children are also in danger |
Remember: you do NOT need to file an FIR to get protection. Under PWDVA you can ask a Magistrate directly for safety — filing a police complaint is a separate route, and both routes can run together.
What is domestic violence?
Under Section 3 of the Act, domestic violence means much more than physical beating — the definition is deliberately kept very wide:
| Type of violence | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Physical violence | Beating, pushing, burning, or any act that causes bodily injury or endangers life |
| Sexual violence | Sexual relations without consent, or any conduct of a sexual nature that is abusive or humiliating |
| Verbal and emotional violence | Abuse, insults, taunts, threats, attacks on character, or conduct that causes mental pain |
| Economic violence | Withholding money or necessities, taking away earnings, preventing employment, throwing out of the house/property, dowry demands |
Threats are also violence — if someone forces you to do or not do something by frightening you, that too falls under this law. Harassment for dowry is also domestic violence.
Who can complain?
- Any woman in a “domestic relationship” — living in the same house with a husband, in-laws, brother-in-law or any family member (through marriage, blood relation, adoption, or a relationship in the nature of marriage).
- A woman in a live-in relationship can also seek protection under this law.
- Widowed, divorced or separated women can also complain — if the violence took place during the domestic relationship.
- The woman herself can apply — or the Protection Officer on her behalf, or any other person for her benefit.
- Against whom (respondent): an adult male family member. In 2016, the Supreme Court (Hiralal P. Harsora v. Kusum Narottamdas Harsora) struck down the words “adult male” and made it clear that a female family member can also be made a respondent.
- No income limit, no age limit — this law is for every woman.
Two routes — civil and criminal
There are two separate routes to deal with domestic violence — both can run together. Do not mix them up:
| Point | Civil route — PWDVA 2005 | Criminal route — BNS Section 85 |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 | Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (earlier IPC Section 498A) |
| What happens | The Magistrate passes orders for protection — stopping violence, letting you stay in the house, getting you money | Police register an FIR; the guilty person can be punished |
| Where to go | Protection Officer / Judicial Magistrate First Class | Nearest police station / Mahila Thana |
| FIR needed? | No — protection is available without an FIR | Yes — an FIR has to be filed |
| Purpose | Immediate safety and relief | Punishment of the offender |
| Fee | Free | Free |
Which route to choose? If you need the violence stopped immediately, want to stay in your house or need money — the PWDVA civil route is faster. If you want the person who committed the violence to be punished — take the FIR criminal route as well. Both can run together; choosing one does not close the other.
The 5 reliefs under PWDVA
You can seek all of these reliefs together in a single application (Form II) — no need for separate cases:
| Relief | Section | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Protection Order | Section 18 | The Magistrate can restrain the respondent from committing violence, threatening, contacting you or entering the house |
| Residence Order | Section 19 | Your right to stay in the shared household — you cannot be thrown out; the respondent can also be ordered to stay away from the house |
| Monetary Relief | Section 20 | Loss of earnings, medical expenses, compensation for property loss/damage, and maintenance for you and your children |
| Custody Order | Section 21 | Temporary custody of children; conditions for the respondent’s access to children can also be fixed |
| Compensation Order | Section 22 | Damages for injuries, mental torture and emotional distress caused by the violence |
Interim relief (Section 23): if the danger is immediate, the Magistrate can pass an interim protection, residence or monetary order on the basis of your affidavit and the Domestic Incident Report (DIR) alone — even without hearing the other side (ex parte). The final order comes after the hearing.
The Protection Officer — your biggest help
The Protection Officer is the government officer who implements this law on the ground. The State Government appoints a Protection Officer in every district (Section 8). In Haryana, the District Programme Officer (DPO) performs the Protection Officer’s work — the state government has appointed DPOs in 33 Mahila Thanas, one in every district. The Protection Officer’s duties are (Section 9 and the 2006 Rules):
- Record the Domestic Incident Report (DIR) in Form I and send copies to the Magistrate and the police station.
- Help prepare the application (Form II) and forward it to the Magistrate.
- Prepare a Safety Plan (Form V) — a plan to stay safe from danger.
- Ensure legal aid — arrange a free lawyer (through the District Legal Services Authority).
- Arrange shelter — a safe place (shelter home / One Stop Centre) if needed.
- Arrange medical examination — if you have sustained injuries.
- Maintain a directory of service providers — NGOs, shelter homes, counsellors and others.
Note: no separate published list of Protection Officers in Haryana could be verified — contact your district’s DPO office; they perform the Protection Officer’s work. You can also call 181, and they will connect you to the right officer.
How to complain — step by step
The full process is as follows — at any stage you can take help from 181 or a Sakhi One Stop Centre:
- Contact for help: call 181, visit the nearest Sakhi One Stop Centre, meet your district’s Protection Officer (DPO), or go directly to the Judicial Magistrate. Meeting the Protection Officer is not compulsory — you can go to court directly.
- Get the Domestic Incident Report (DIR) recorded: the Protection Officer will prepare the DIR in Form I on your complaint and send copies to the Magistrate and the police station. The Magistrate must consider this report before passing an order.
- File the application: file an application under Section 12 in Form II before the Magistrate — write which reliefs you want (protection, residence, monetary relief, custody, compensation — all can be sought together). The Protection Officer will help prepare the application.
- Choose the right court (Section 27): you can file before the Magistrate where you live (even temporarily), where you work, where the respondent lives/works, or where the violence happened.
- First hearing: the Magistrate ordinarily fixes the first hearing within 3 days of receiving the application. Notice is served on the respondent within 2 days (Section 13).
- Ask for interim relief (if there is immediate danger): under Section 23, seek interim relief with an affidavit (Form III) — the Magistrate can pass an order immediately, even without hearing the other side.
- Final order: the Magistrate endeavours to dispose of the application within 60 days of the first hearing. Disobeying an order is an offence (Section 31) — imprisonment up to 1 year and/or a fine up to ₹20,000.
About online application: no online application portal or SARAL service for PWDVA in Haryana could be verified — so no online steps are given in this guide. The verified method is offline — Protection Officer, One Stop Centre, Mahila Thana or directly before the Magistrate.
Documents required
No document is compulsory to start a complaint — the Protection Officer can record a DIR on your statement alone. But these documents strengthen your application — confirm the final list with the Protection Officer or your lawyer:
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Identity proof — Aadhaar card / voter ID | To establish your identity |
| Address proof | For the shared household and jurisdiction |
| Marriage proof — marriage certificate / photos / other proof | To prove the domestic relationship |
| Medical reports / proof of injury | As evidence of violence (if you received treatment) |
| Photos, videos, messages, call records | As evidence of violence/threats (if available) |
| Children’s birth certificates | For custody — to establish the children’s age/identity |
| Income/expense proof — salary slip, bank statement, bills | To fix monetary relief/maintenance |
| Passport-size photograph | For the application form |
Note: a complaint cannot be refused for lack of documents — no officer can refuse to take your complaint because a document is missing.
Fee, timeline and status check
| Topic | Status |
|---|---|
| Application fee (PWDVA) | No fee — the application is free |
| Lawyer’s cost | Free legal aid — from the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA); women are entitled to free legal services |
| First hearing | Ordinarily within 3 days of receipt of the application (Section 12(4)) |
| Disposal target | Within 60 days of the first hearing (Section 12(5)) — this is a statutory target; actual time depends on the court |
| If the order is disobeyed | Section 31 — cognizable, non-bailable offence; imprisonment up to 1 year and/or fine up to ₹20,000 |
| Status check (online) | No online status portal verified — ask the Protection Officer or the court |
| Status check (offline) | Protection Officer (DPO) office / the Magistrate’s court concerned |
| Last date | No fixed last date — the Act prescribes no limitation period; an application can be made at any time for continuing or recent violence |
Haryana’s Sakhi One Stop Centres — full list
The Sakhi One Stop Centre (OSC) gives a woman facing violence police help, medical aid, legal advice, temporary shelter (up to 5 days) and psycho-social counselling under one roof. It is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme (Nirbhaya Fund, since April 2015). There is one centre in every district of Haryana — as per the Women and Child Development Department’s telephone directory:
| S.No. | District | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ambala | #39 A, Durga Nagar, Ganesh Vihar, Near Ambala Public School, Ambala City | 9518111212 |
| 2 | Bhiwani | Tosham Road, Near Jila Punerwas Kendra, Bhiwani | 7015932690 |
| 3 | Charkhi Dadri | Loharu Road, Ward No. 18, MC Colony, near Canara Bank, Charkhi Dadri | 9813722646 |
| 4 | Faridabad | B.K. Civil Hospital NIT, Faridabad | 9033758060 |
| 5 | Fatehabad | Red Cross Building, Near Brahman Dharamshala, Fatehabad | 8396841445 |
| 6 | Gurugram | Baal Udhyan, Near Nehru Stadium, Civil Line Road, Gurugram | 8684923568 |
| 7 | Hisar | One Stop Centre, Mini Secretariat, Hisar | 8059242425 |
| 8 | Jhajjar | H.No. 406, Ward No. 17, Arya Nagar, Jhajjar | 9417614301 |
| 9 | Jind | Room No. 133-134, Old Building, Civil Hospital, Jind | 9254679478 |
| 10 | Kaithal | Padma City Mall Gali, nearby Delhi Hospital, MITC Road, Kaithal | 7206274710 |
| 11 | Karnal | Mahila Ashram Complex, Behind Old Bus-stand, Karnal | 9416384609 |
| 12 | Kurukshetra | 1495/12, Azad Nagar, Kurukshetra | 9896660260 |
| 13 | Nuh | B-1, Purana Court Complex, Civil Line Road, Nuh | 9636374141 |
| 14 | Mahendragarh | Old Mini Secretariat, Room No. 7-8, Narnaul | 7217709090 |
| 15 | Palwal | Civil Hospital, 2nd Floor, Panchwati Colony, Palwal | 9815587684 |
| 16 | Panchkula | Room No. 27, 2nd Floor, New Mini Secretariat, Sector-1, Panchkula | 8076721376 |
| 17 | Panipat | Red Cross Society Bhawan, G.T. Road, Panipat | 7082403278 |
| 18 | Rewari | First Floor, Janta Service Station, Opp. Trauma Center, Rewari | 9812612047 |
| 19 | Rohtak | Gandhi Camp, Mahila Aashram Wali Gali, D-Park, Delhi Road, Rohtak | 9899716044 |
| 20 | Sirsa | B-10, Near Court Complex, Mini Secretariat, Barnala Road, Sirsa | 9017728550 |
| 21 | Sonipat | Atlas Road, near Sanghi Hospital, Sonipat | 7357428352 |
| 22 | Yamunanagar | H.No. 21, Ashoka Colony, Near Lal Dwara, Yamunanagar | 9034177330 |
Note: this list is based on a copy of the Women and Child Development Department’s telephone directory — before visiting, confirm the centre’s address and timings by calling 181. The email addresses in the source looked mismatched between districts, so emails are not given in this guide.
Mahila Thana — district-wise mobile numbers
Every district has a Mahila Thana (Women Police Station) where women can file complaints directly. The numbers below are from the Haryana State Resource Centre for Women’s 2019 helpbook — numbers may have changed; calling 181 is the most reliable first step:
| District | Mahila Thana mobile | District | Mahila Thana mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panchkula | 9464661091 | Hansi | 7082901091 |
| Yamunanagar | 8818000108 | Charkhi Dadri | 9466161091 |
| Ambala | 7419341100 | Bhiwani | 8814081091 |
| Kurukshetra | 8607000503 | Rohtak | 8222891091 |
| Karnal | 7027501091 | Jhajjar | 8930500633 |
| Kaithal | 7419352118 | Rewari | 7419757524 |
| Jind | 9306426167 | Narnaul | 8053017999 |
| Panipat | 9467111091 | Gurugram | 9205291091 |
| Sonipat | 7496971091 | Faridabad | 9953731091 |
| Fatehabad | 8814011750 | Palwal | 7027991091 |
| Sirsa | 8816901091 | Mewat (Nuh) | 9306412961 |
| Hisar | 7027491091 | For all Haryana | 8264591192 |
Free legal aid — how to get a lawyer from DLSA
No woman should go without legal help for lack of money. Under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, women are entitled to free legal services — including a free lawyer, legal advice and court fees:
- District Legal Services Authority (DLSA): every district has a DLSA office in the court complex — go there and apply for a free lawyer. The Protection Officer can also connect you to the DLSA.
- National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) helpline: 15100 — the national helpline for free legal aid.
- Legal advice at the One Stop Centre: every Sakhi One Stop Centre has a legal counsellor — free advice is available there too.
- Service providers (NGOs): registered service provider organisations also help free of cost — the Protection Officer keeps their list.
Know the difference — PWDVA vs BNS 85 vs Women’s Commission
| Point | PWDVA 2005 (civil) | BNS Section 85 (criminal) | Women’s Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Orders for protection from the Magistrate — protection, residence, money, custody, compensation | FIR-based police investigation; punishment for the guilty (up to 3 years’ imprisonment + fine) | Hears complaints, investigates, sends recommendations to officers |
| Where to go | Protection Officer / Magistrate | Police station / Mahila Thana | Haryana State Commission for Women, Panchkula (0172-2584039) |
| Time | First hearing ~3 days; disposal target 60 days | Investigation and trial — can take a long time | Action on complaint — no fixed timeline |
| For whom | When immediate safety is needed | When you want the offender punished | When the department/police do not listen |
All three routes are separate and do not block each other — all three can be taken together if needed.
Your safety plan — be prepared in advance
If you are facing violence, keep a few things ready in advance — the Protection Officer also helps you prepare a safety plan (Form V):
- Keep copies of important documents in a safe place: Aadhaar card, bank passbook, children’s certificates — with a trusted person or online (email/drive).
- Keep an emergency bag ready: some money, clothes, medicines, important numbers — somewhere you can reach quickly.
- Tell one trusted person: a neighbour, relative or friend — someone you can call in danger.
- Preserve evidence: photos of injuries, threatening messages, medical reports — these help in court.
- Remember the helpline numbers: 112 (emergency), 181 (Women Helpline) — save them in your phone.
- Children’s safety: tell your children too whom to call and where to go in danger.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Is filing an FIR necessary to complain about domestic violence?
No. Under PWDVA 2005 you can seek a protection order directly from the Magistrate without an FIR. An FIR is for the criminal route (BNS Section 85) — a separate route, and both can run together.
2. Who can complain — only a wife?
No. Any woman in a domestic relationship — wife, mother, sister, daughter, widow, or a woman in a relationship in the nature of marriage — can complain. The woman herself, the Protection Officer, or any other person for her benefit can file the application.
3. Can I be thrown out of the house?
No. Under Section 19 the Magistrate can pass a residence order — you have the right to stay in the shared household and cannot be thrown out. The respondent can also be ordered to stay away from the house.
4. What does monetary relief cover?
Under Section 20 you can claim loss of earnings, medical expenses, compensation for property loss/damage, and maintenance for yourself and your children. Under Section 22 you can separately claim compensation for mental pain.
5. How much will filing the application cost?
Nothing — the application under PWDVA is free. A lawyer is also free (from the District Legal Services Authority; NALSA helpline 15100). Be careful if anyone asks for money.
6. How soon is the first hearing and the decision?
By law, the first hearing is ordinarily within 3 days of receiving the application, and the disposal target is 60 days from the first hearing. This is a statutory target — actual time depends on the court’s work. If there is immediate danger, an interim order under Section 23 can be passed the same day.
7. Who is the Protection Officer and where can I find one?
The officer appointed by the State Government in every district — in Haryana, the District Programme Officer (DPO) performs the Protection Officer’s work. Contact your district’s DPO office, or call 181 — they will connect you to the right officer.
8. What help is available at a One Stop Centre (Sakhi)?
Police help, medical aid, legal advice, temporary shelter (up to 5 days) and psycho-social counselling under one roof. There is one centre in every district of Haryana — the full list is given above.
9. What happens if the order is not obeyed?
Disobeying a protection order is an offence (Section 31) — cognizable and non-bailable; imprisonment up to 1 year and/or a fine up to ₹20,000. If the order is violated, inform the police or the Protection Officer immediately.
10. Will I have to leave my house after complaining?
No — it is the opposite. The very purpose of this law is that a woman can stay safely in her own house. Under a residence order you get the right to stay in the house; if needed, the respondent is ordered to stay away. If you yourself want to go to a safe place, temporary shelter is also available at a One Stop Centre or a shelter home.
Official links and contacts
| Task | Link / Contact |
|---|---|
| myScheme — Protection Against Domestic Violence | myscheme.gov.in/schemes/padv (detail page is client-rendered and could not be read directly; see also the list page) |
| myScheme — Haryana schemes (list) | myscheme.gov.in/search/state/Haryana |
| Ministry of Women and Child Development — PWDVA information | wcd.gov.in (direct checks on 8 November 2026 were slow — link given with a note) |
| Women and Child Development Department, Haryana | wcdhry.gov.in (did not open on the first direct check on 8 November 2026, but opened on re-check — the site is intermittent) |
| Haryana State Commission for Women | hscw.in — Bays 39-40, CADA Bhawan, Sector-4, Panchkula; 0172-2584039, 0172-2583639; [email protected] |
| National Commission for Women (NCW) | ncw.nic.in — helpline 7827 170 170 (24×7) |
| National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) | nalsa.gov.in — free legal aid helpline 15100 |
| Women and Child Development Dept, Haryana (office) | Bays 15-20, Sector 4, Panchkula – 134112 |
| Phone | 0172-2560349 (Director, Women and Child Development Department, Haryana) |
| Women Helpline | 181 (24×7, toll-free); landline 0172-2587658; [email protected] |
| Emergency services | 112 (ERSS); Police 100; Child Helpline 1098 |
Related guides — also read: Working Women Hostel (Sakhi Niwas): Rent, Eligibility and Application Process | Mahila Adhikarita Yojana (NSKFDC): Loan up to ₹2 lakh for Safai Karamchari women | Self-Marriage Assistance for Women Workers: ₹50,000 one-time | Haryana Old Age Samman Allowance 2026: ₹3,200 per month
Disclaimer
This guide was prepared on 8 November 2026 on the basis of available official sources — the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, information from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Haryana Women and Child Development Department’s telephone directory and the myScheme portal. This guide is for legal information, not legal advice — do take advice from the Protection Officer, a District Legal Services Authority lawyer or an advocate for your own case. Helpline numbers, centre addresses and officers can change over time — confirm the latest information by calling 181 before contacting anyone. Wherever sources differ or information is unconfirmed, this guide says so clearly. Viksit Haryana is not an official portal of any government department.
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